Khadijah suggested that veteran singers should be paid RM10,000 per show

KUALA LUMPUR:Veteran singer Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim, 65, has suggested that veteran singers should get a minimum of RM10,000 each event, commensurate with their skills and expertise.

In an article published today by Berita Harian, Khadijah claimed that it was “grossly unfair” for concert organisers to pay legendary musicians who were formerly well-known meagre compensation for their performances. 

“If I were the manager of a veteran artist, I would advise him or her not to perform in an event if the organiser pays RM200 to RM300,” said Khadijah. “Veteran artistes should be treated with respect; they have contributed greatly to the country’s music industry.”

“I wouldn’t mind accepting token amounts of between RM5,000 and RM8,000. However, RM200 to RM300 is quite meagre!”

According to Khadijah, concert organisers should be paying artists, especially legends, much more than they were in the past due to the rising cost of living.

“If concert organisers can pay millions of ringgit for foreign acts to perform in Malaysia, I don’t see why they cannot pay RM10,000 to Malaysian music legends.”

Although many of her peers were not as rich as Khadijah, she acknowledged that she was fortunate to have been “paid well” thus far.

In honour of the city’s 18th anniversary, Khadijah recently performed at the Konsert Malam Muzikal 2024 of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

The event was held in MBPJ’s Civic Centre in Jalan Yoong Shook Lin, Petaling Jaya, and featured performances by Datin Effa Rizan and Datuk Malek Ridzuan.